International Women’s Day

Nazir Nabaa 1969

A Tribute to Syrian Women Arab Austrian Women’s Association in cooperation with the Afro-Asian Institute Vienna, Austria 2016

“Balsam Project” on the occasion of the International Women’s Day

Women’s Initiative for Peace in Syria and the Arab World It is no longer possible to remain silent about our children being thrown to an absurd war, which seems to be endless . This war is destroying our country and all of our children’s capabilities leaving them without any hope for the future. We are Women from a diverse spectrum of the harmonious rainbow of our beloved countries. We plead you to immediately seize this senseless fighting that is stealing the lives of our children. We call you to stop and let your conscience scrutinize this dire situation. We, Women, say to you in frank and explicit words: stop right now and immediately! This inferno is demolishing all of our aspirations for a prosperous future of our children that was built on the foundation of co-existence and sustained over centuries. We are Women who have lost and continue losing our children daily in this absurd war. We believe that we, before anyone else, have the right to demand this abominable bloodbath to stop. We are the ones who generate life and give birth to children – they must not be used as fuel for this war between siblings. Our hope is to see them creating, producing and achieving a prosperous future for themselves and their homeland, and raising their country’s name in the glory of their contribution to our civilization. We, Women, categorically reject turning our beloved country into killing arenas. And, since we are the most affected by this war, we believe that it is out obligation to ask all the sides involved, governments and oppositions, to stop this horrible and shameful segmentation which they exert on our countries and nations. We, Women, declare our unequivocal and absolute rejection of any external interference in the sacred soil of Syria and other Arab countries no matter who and from which side this intruder is. One is delusional believing that arms can bring peace, coexistence and integrity to the Syrians and the Arabs. Let our collective voice be heard by all the belligerents!

Stop the fight between siblings, lay down your weapons, and launch a dialogue of braves!

Programme

18:00 – 18:30

Exhibition Opening

18:30 – 18:45 Screening of “The Hope”, film produced by Ms. Linda Zahra, Syria. Balsam Project 8. 18:45 – 19:45

Panel

Moderator: Ms. Rasha Corti (Syria/Austria) Panellists: - Ms. Doha Ashour (Syria) - Ms. Fida Horani (Syria) - Ms. Sabiha Khalil (Syria)

19:45 – 20:15

Open Discussion

20:15 – 21:00 Poetry and music - Ms. Wedad Seifo (Syria) - Ms. Nour Alzakout (Syria) - Mr. Orwa Alshofi (Syria) We will also have a buffet and a bazaar.

Note: the event will be held in Arabic, English and German

EXHIBITION Women in the Syrian Antiquities The history of Syrian women dates back to the ninth millennium BC. Back then women were portrayed as symbols fertility, beauty, love and tender. The photographs reflect the cultural heritage of the Syrian people who were able to enhance the status of women and their role in the sanctity of life. This is a unique insight into the world of Goddesses, symbols, wonderful costumes, amazing ornaments, precious metals and stones.

“Afro Café”

Puppet dolls made by Syria’s female refugees living in Kilis, Turkey

Each doll is handmade. By purchasing a puppet you can help a family of four members to survive one week.

Project Project Balsam Photos 2011 - 2016

“Syria in the eyes of women” women”- Art of Syrian refugee women, directed by Hazar BakbachiBakbachi-Henriot (Syria /France)

KOINOBORI Exhibition of Hisa Enomoto (Japan)

The KOINOBORI (fish) is a symbol of a strong and loving life.

PARTICIPANTS Ms. Doha Ashour (Syria) Ms. Doha Ashour graduated from Damascus University, Faculty of Information. A former political prisoner in Syria (1993 to 1999) who gave birth to her daughter (Diana) in prison. Formerly deprived of her civil rights by the Supreme State Security Court, she is now an activist for freedom and peace and a member of the “Syrian Women’s Network”. She is now writing a book about her experience in prison. She has also written many articles for Arabic newsletters and websites.

Ms. Fida Horani (Syria) Ms, Fida Horani is an Arab nationalist, intellectual, founder of the Arab Socialist Movement and daughter of Akram alHorani,. She helped launch the Damascus Declaration in 2005, but was imprisoned in 2008 together with other eleven other Damascus Declaration’s leaders. Ms. Sabiha Khalil (Syria) Ms. Sabiha Khalil lives in Germany. She graduated from Homs University and has a Bachelor Degree in Literature, EnglishArabic Translation. She worked as a teacher of English in Aleppo Intermediate (preparatory) Public Schools in Syria and Kuwait. Now, she is an advisor for refugees in a German Association for Refugees. She is also a member of different organizations and parties, namely “Syria Women's League”, “Komela Jin” Kurdish National Council in Syria, Kurdish-Arabic Relief Committee, Syria Women Network, Coordination and Follow up Committee of SWN, Syrian Feminist Lobby. She writes on cultural and political issues.

Moderator Ms. Rasha Corti (Syria/Austria) Ms. Rasha Corti studied English Literature at the University of Aleppo and the University of Damascus. She is also a licensed guide and interpreter for refugees in Vienna, Austria. She worked as fixer and organizer in the film industry.

POETRY

Ms. Nour Alzakout (Syria) Ms. Nour Alzakout is a pre-school teacher who combined her professional career with music studies. She is a poet who has published her poems on many websites and newsletters.

Ms. Widad Hamdan Saifo (Syria) Ms. Widad Hamdan Saifo is a Syrian poet. She completed her studies in library science at the University of Damascus. She worked for a radio station “Voice of Youth” in Damascus, Syria and the Foundation Raya in the field of documentation in Istanbul ,Turkey. Her articles and poems have featured in many Arabic newspapers and websites. Soon she will publish her first poetry book. Lisa Lenz (Austria) Lisa Lenz, studied Cultural and Social Anthropology at the University of Vienna. Since 2010 she has been doing her Master degree at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology with a research focus on Islam and the Middle East region. Ms. Lenz has finished a master thesis on Shiite mourning rituals in Ashura in Lebanon. Her academic fields of interests are integration, migration, identity and Arabic language.

FILM Ms. Linda Zahra (Syria) Ms. Linda Zahra is a photographer, make-up designer and film producer. Her make-up design credits include the film (Maharem, Maharem), the short film (The Father) and the short feature (A Little Sun). Her credits as a photographer include (Damascus City Symphony), (Faraway, So Close from Home Borderline). She was a producer on some documentaries: (Black Stone), (Cola Bridge) and (Wooden Rifle).

EXHIBITION Ms. Hisa Enomoto (Japan) Ms. Hisa Enomoto a Japanese painter. She completed her degree at the Fine Arts Academy in Vienna. Hisa is the founder and head of the Association “Kokemoos”. She has directed many workshops for Japanese, Austrian and Syrian refugee children.

MUSIC Mr. Orwa Alshofi (Syria) Mr. Orwa Alshofi, composer and professor, who studied at the Higher Institute of Music in Beirut, Lebanon. He was Director of Nineveh Institute of music and singing in Swaida, Syria. Together with his colleagues (Ayman Hilal /Violin, Ahmed/Guitar, Ragheb Massa’/Chello) he has founded a symphonic band. “Orphee”. Supervised a choir of more than a hundred children led by Miss Manar Al Shaar. Winner of the second prize “Passion” for his musical piece “Hopes Fade”. He is the director of “NAI” group (singing and musical group) of the Arab Austrian Women Association.

International Women’s Day Organizers: Alahawi, Wissam Aleid, Dima Aleid, Mai Aleid, Mazen Ayoub, Ayham Eder, Beate Maria Mag. Hawijah, Sanaa Idomir, Maria Khalil, Nadier Kiriaky, Marie Therese Moustafa, Mohammad Nasser, Ammar Nesterovaite, Viktorija Schötzinger, Dominique

Arab Women Association www.arabaustrianwomen.org